Month: August 2018

Southwest has carved a niche for itself, cultivating a fiercely loyal customer base namely because of two things:

The company is the only major US airline that offers up to two checked bags for free.

It doesn’t charge for changes to flight reservations.

If you are thinking of booking a southwest ticket in the near future, here are some important things to know about the Dallas, Texas-based carrier:

Southwest Flying Destinations

Southwest currently serves 100 domestic destinations and 10 international cities. The airline launched service to several new destinations, including international service to a number of resort destinations Belize; Cancun, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and San Jose, Costa Rica. Flights to Hawaii are slated to begin later in 2018.

Southwest’s Airfares Structure

Southwest offers three different airfare categories: “Wanna Get Away,” “Anytime,” and “Business Select.” All of them include two free checked bags and no fees for flight changes. The airline also offers refundable Senior Fares, which are discounts that ticket agents share with older travelers. Here’s how the fare categories break down:

Wanna Get Away: These nonrefundable fares are typically the lowest priced, as long as they’re purchased in advance

Anytime: These are refundable fares and offer a higher frequent flyer point payoff under the airline’s Rapid Rewards program

Business Select: This fare caters to business travelers and offers the highest frequent flyer payoff. Business Select travelers also get priority seating known as “Group A boarding,” a complimentary alcoholic drink and priority security and/or ticket counter access at participating airports.

Southwest In-flight Entertainment

Southwest may offer some affordable fares, but as passengers have come to find out, they don’t skimp on the amenities.

Each flight has complimentary soft drinks and snacks.

They also provide Wi-Fi and free live and on-demand TV including movies and popular series on international flights.

You don’t have to purchase Wi-Fi to take advantage of its iMessage options and other pre-downloaded apps.

Southwest Check-Ins

Southwest recently upgraded its reservations platform, allowing for at least six ways passengers can check in. Here are the different options:

Curbside check-in with the skycap at the airport

EarlyBird check-in is available up to 36 hours before the flight

Mobile check-in (via digital boarding pass)

Online check-in (via Southwest.com)

Self-service kiosk check-in at the airport

Ticket counter check-in (30 minutes to three hours before the flight)

Southwest Keep Fares So Low

One of the things many fliers want to know is how Southwest is able to offer such competitive fares compared to what the major airlines are charging. Southwest’s service philosophy is quite different from the “hub-and-spoke” system the biggest US airlines use. Southwest employs a “point-to-point” service, which allows for more nonstop routes to smaller cities. Not only does flying to smaller cities mean less air traffic, it allows the airline to schedule more flights at more convenient times.

The airline currently offers 19-weekday roundtrips between Dallas Love Field and Houston Hobby, 12-weekday roundtrips between Burbank and Oakland, 12-weekday roundtrips between San Diego and San Jose, eight-weekday roundtrips between Denver and Chicago Midway, and 10-weekday roundtrips between Los Angeles International and Las Vegas.

Southwest’s International Services

The company announced international service out of the following seven cities: Indianapolis, San Jose, Sacramento, Columbus, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh-Durham. To save money, the airline ceased service to Varadero and Santa Clara, Cuba, but will continue to operate in Havana.

Southwest customers continue to be pretty high on the airline. In addition to the free checked bags, the company allows each ticketed passenger to check one stroller and one car seat free of charge, which is a boon for families. When it comes to customer satisfaction, Southwest came in tops in the American Customer Satisfaction Index report that was released in April 2018.

Flying standby can be a considerable way to get a reliable standby ticket on a plane for your schedule and it might assign you a comfortable seat with the trouble-free journey. With the affordable price, airline personnel might arrange an earlier flight for you. Travelers who are eager to pick up flight tickets to India before their actual time preferred a way to assure – what airlines offer standby tickets and how can ensure that you can enter on the nest flight. So, take a closer look at what it means to fly standby and how can you increase your chance to get a standby ticket.

How To Fly Standby?

Flying standby can secure you a flight for a different time than originally booked. But, before that, you need to confirm your ticket, either by purchasing one outright or thanks to a “buddy pass” from an airline employee.
• Many airlines’ websites and mobile applications can assist you with flying standby concerns.
• Ticketing agents can help you get on a standby list.
• Being an elite member of an airline’s frequent flyer program can boost your chances of successfully flying standby, as can purchasing a more expensive fare in the first place? Fees for flying standby vary, depending on which airline you fly.

Who Can Fly Standby?

In decades past, flying standby meant that you could buy a ticket right before departure and board yourself on the last seat of the plane. These days, however, the subject of how to fly standby is much more nuanced. Generally speaking, taking standby flights in the modern era is possible in two instances.
• First, if you or a friend work for an airline and are traveling on a complimentary ticket, sometimes known as a “buddy pass.”
• A second possibility that can make you a potential standby passenger is if you’ve already booked a ticket, but can’t take your original flight, either voluntarily (you want to head home earlier after a business trip) or involuntarily, such as when your flight is canceled due to inclement weather.

Ticket Eligible For Flying Standby

Unless you are an employee of a major airline or have a family member or close friend who is, your only shot at flying standby is to purchase a flight. Many individuals will snag the cheapest flight possible or last minute flight deals. But, it is critical to read the terms and conditions of your ticket, which may prevent you from taking standby flights. The new bare-bones “Basic Economy” fares many airlines offer place heavy restrictions on voluntarily standing by.
Delta, for example, has eliminated same-day flight changes for Basic Economy passengers altogether, whether you want a confirmed seat or are comfortable standing by. If your flight is involuntarily canceled, you’ll still be eligible for standby flights, but you might want to avoid Basic Economy if flying standby is your priority.

How To Standby For Different Flights?

Flying standby required you to speak to a ticketing, check-in or gate agent, or call an airline employee on the phone, and inform them of your intention to take an earlier or later flight as soon as possible before your departure. The employee would then place you on the standby list, often at a position determined by his or her own discretion, or assign you a confirmed seat if the flight you wanted to take looked particularly empty. Within the United mobile app, for example, you can request a same-day flight change, which either puts you on a list for standby flights or confirms you a seat on a different flight. Furthermore, the process of re-booking in case of involuntary flight change is now largely automated, though you should contact an airline representative if you don’t see your name on the standby list within your airline’s app or website.

How To Increase Chance Of Flying Standby Success?

These days, rules and regulations for standby flights are different than they were in the past, with a little left up to the discretion of the airline employee. Your standby priority increases if you have elite status with the airline and has purchased a more expensive fare. But, you’ll be lower on the totem pole if you aren’t a frequent flyer and booked the cheapest economy flight. Another important thing to remember when it comes to flying standby is that you aren’t truly confirmed until the plane leaves the gate. If a higher status passenger arrives at the gate and wants to standby, even if you already have a boarding pass, the airline technically reserves the right to bump you to the next flight.
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On the basis of various features and amenities, Mumbai and Delhi airports are in the top list of 50 best airports in the world. It also comes under to spend a long layover at the airports. But, which ones are the top airports in India alone! With more affordable prices, new airports springing up and flights connecting every corner of the country, Indian airports are seeing more air traffic than ever. Based on data, here is a list of best Airport in India that makes travel easier and more comfortable for passengers.

Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi

The Delhi airport has an annual passenger capacity of over 40 million. It has the sixth largest terminal in the world and scores high for on-time performance, an aspect that is crucial to travelers’ satisfaction. The user-friendly app, flyDEL, classy ambiance, clear signage and abundance of shopping and eating outlets make it one of the top airports in India.

Where to Visit In Delhi: The Red Fort built of red sandstone, the Safdarjung Tomb, Humayun’s Tomb and the towering Qutub Minar are good places to start exploring the National Capital.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai

The 5 operating terminals is one of the best-in-class International airports in India. It caters to 42 million passengers and has a record high of 969 takeoffs and landings in a single day. It never fails to delight guests and offers comforts and conveniences while ensuring efficiency, safety, and environmental care.

Where to visit in Mumbai: The Gateway of India, Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, and Siddhivinayak Temple are popular sights. You could also indulge in street shopping at Colaba and Bandra and hunt for your favorite celebrity homes.

Chennai International Airport, Chennai

Being one of the main gateways for travelers to South India, this airport sees around 18 million passengers a year. It has undergone expansions to include parallel runways and taxiways. The airport is facilitated with Information desk, conference rooms, duty-free shops, security check, child care room, disabled services, free Wi-Fi connection, and luggage carts.

Where to visit in Chennai: The Fort of Saint George, Kapaleeshwar Temple, San Tome Church and Thousand Lights mosque are in Chennai, along with beaches such as Marina, Covelong, and Elliots Beach. A few hours’ drives will take you to Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram.

Cochin International Airport, Kochi

World’s first airport, Cochin airport is completely run on solar energy. It is the fourth largest airport in India and biggest one in Kerala, catering to 65% of travelers. The airport handles over 10 million passengers annually and handles over 230 aircraft movements per day. The airport has the number of facilities like free porterage service for the convenience of old, infants, handicapped and unaccompanied ladies/minors, modern illuminated signage for adequate guidance, public convenience for ladies and gents separately, free passenger baggage trolleys, counters to check missed belongings, etc.

Where to Visit in Kochi: Fort Kochi is one of the main attractions here, but ensures you see the Chinese Fishing nets, Mattancherry Palace (also called Dutch Palace), Pardesi Synagogue and catch a Kathakali performance.’

Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore

Kempegowda International Airport is handling 22 million passengers a year. Both domestic and international travelers share the same check-in hall. Its new terminal called Code F aerobridge, accommodate an Airbus 1380 aircraft. Arrival and departure procedures for both our domestic and international passengers are well defined. Including facilities like airport lounges, airport facilities, claim baggage area, security information, etc, the airport is considered one of the busiest airports.

Where to visit in Bangalore: Some popular sites include the ISKCON Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, Tipu Sultan’s Palace, Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Cubbon Park, among others.

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad

On the basis of service quality, the Hyderabad Airport in Shamshabad has consistently been featured among top airports in India. It is one of India’s busiest airports, handling 40 million passengers through seamless crowd control while being environmentally conscious. A variety of cuisine to taste and many places to shop throughout the airport!

Where to visit in Hyderabad: The iconic mosque, Charminar should definitely feature on your to-do list in Hyderabad. Also, visit the monumental Golconda Fort and Chowmahalla Palace.

Goa International Airport, Goa

This government-run airport is situated on a military air base and serves the entire state of Goa. It primarily caters to domestic flights with a handful of flights from the Middle East and seasonal charters.

Where to visit in Goa: Fort Aguada, Chapora Fort, and Old Goa are popular spots for sightseeing. It also has more than its share of beautiful churches and museums. However, the sandy coastline is what draws visitors in all year round.

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